Granted, most things change, but with the male entertainment troupe Thunder from Down Under, some items don't—such as skin always being in (much to the delight of the group's male and female followers).
Before the Las Vegas-based Aussie group descends upon Chicago later this week, emcee Marcus Deegan talked with Windy City Times about workouts, workplace accidents and Michael Jackson.
Windy City Times: I've met a lot of different Australians, and the one commonality I've experienced is that you're all pretty laid-back. Why do you think that is?
Marcus Deegan: It's part of the culture. Everybody's like that. It's the lifestyle over there. There's some hustle and bustle but [the laid-back atmosphere] is part of the culture, I suppose.
WCT: You're from Queensland. What is that area like?
Marcus Deegan: It's very similar to Hawaii, to Oahu. It's also got countryside. It's quite a large state, with the [Great] Barrier Reef.
WCT: I'm not making you homesick, am I?
Marcus Deegan: No; I'm already homesick, so it's OK. [Laughs] I'm going back in December so it's fine.
WCT: Let's talk about the show. The last time I spoke with [the troupe], it was with Adam [Hughes] and Benny [Hardy] a couple years ago...
Marcus Deegan: Wow—that would've been a while ago. Neither of those guys is with the show anymore.
WCT: So how would you say this show is going to be different?
Marcus Deegan: There'll be different guys. There'll be different numbers, with guys doing different solos. There'll be a different host—me, of course. Also, we're bringing a few guys from the Vegas cast this time. There'll be eight guys.
WCT: I can't even imagine what it's like entertaining screaming people night after night. Does it ever get...
Marcus Deegan: It doesn't get old but it sometimes gets monotonous because we do 12 shows a week here in Vegas; we do doubles on Thursday, triples on Friday, doubles on Saturday and doubles on Sunday. People don't realize that this is a job—you work every night, you have to stay in shape, you have to be enthusiastic.
WCT: I hear a lot of guys—well, straight ones, anyway—who say they would love this job.
Marcus Deegan: They would want this job, trust me. Anyone who says they wouldn't do it is a liar. The lifestyle, the opportunity, the travel—and you can choose who you want to date. But you do have to be kind of an exhibitionist to do this work.
WCT: I was going to ask you the best and worst parts of this job. You've listed a few perks. What are the downsides, if any?
Marcus Deegan: The downside is that you're away from home. It can be difficult to maintain a relationship, although that's not true for me, personally.
And you want to do things at night, but you have to do things. There aren't too many downsides to this job; there are more upsides.
WCT: Yeah—if there were more downsides than upsides, you'd have to seriously reconsider what you're doing.
Marcus Deegan: Yeah, exactly.
WCT: What's the wildest thing that's happened to you while working?
Marcus Deegan: I've had a lot. [Laughs] I went to shake a girl's hand, and she and three of her friends pulled me, and then 20 women jumped on top of me. I had my nipple ring torn out in Mexico by a horde of screaming woman. I had a lady's husband try to fight me.
WCT: After the nipple-ring situation, I think I would've quit.
Marcus Deegan: [Laughs] It was painful, let me tell you. I actually went back to work the next night.
WCT: Even though you entertain mostly women, I'm assuming it's cool if men attend.
Marcus Deegan: Oh, definitely! There are a couple guys who are there every night; they pose with us.
WCT: I saw a picture of you on the Thunder from Down Under website. Who is that tattooed on your leg?
Marcus Deegan: Oh, that's Michael Jackson, actually.
WCT: That's who I thought it was.
Marcus Deegan: I have such passion/admiration for him from the time that I was a child. I was lucky to spend some time with him and his family, and I got a tribute tattoo after he passed away.
WCT: Wow! What was spending time with him like?
Marcus Deegan: It was amazing. It was probably one of the best nights of my life. He was very humble and very sweet and very cordial. I didn't act like a crazy lunatic; I played it pretty cool. We watched the show and had a drink; it was really cool.
WCT: You played it cool, but I probably would've passed out.
Marcus Deegan: Well, I waited until I got into my car. On the way home, I pulled over to the side of the road and had a moment.
WCT: How's that Vegas show about Michael?
Marcus Deegan: You know, I haven't seen it yet! I plan to see it; I hear it's incredible.
WCT: One last question: What is your workout regimen?
Marcus Deegan: It kind of varies. Mainly, it's five days a week with weights, and I'm lucky where I have a fast metabolism so I don't have to do too much cardio. Diet's a big part of it, too—although I like my In and Out burger once in a while.
WCT: And you guys have a keep a six-pack, correct?
Marcus Deegan: Yep; it's in the contract. You have to have a six-pack at all times.
WCT: What if I carry a six-pack of beer?
Marcus Deegan: I do that, too. [Laughs]
Thunder from Down Under will perform at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Sept. 12-14. Tickets start at $22.45, plus taxes and fees; call 773-929-5959 or visit jamusa.com/park-west/ .
